Celebrating the 4th Anniversary of NEP 2020

Context:

Recently, the Union Ministry of Education celebrated the 4th anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 with a week-long campaign called “Shiksha Saptah.” This campaign is designed to promote and celebrate the achievements and objectives of NEP 2020.

Relevance:

GS II: Education

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Initiatives Under Shiksha Saptah
2. Initiatives under NEP 2020
3. Key Initiatives under NEP 2020

Initiatives Under Shiksha Saptah

Vidyanjali Program:

• Launch Year: 2021
• Initiative By: Department of School Education and Literacy
• Objective: Connects community members and volunteers with government and government-aided schools through an online portal.
• Function: The portal allows alumni, teachers, scientists, and other professionals to contribute services, materials, or expertise to schools across India. It aims to enhance the learning environment by integrating schools, volunteers, and the community, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 objectives.

Tithi Bhojan:

• Community Engagement: This initiative encourages community members to celebrate special occasions like childbirth, marriage, and birthdays by contributing to the Mid Day Meal Scheme.
• Role: Tithi Bhojan acts as a supplement or complement to the existing Mid Day Meal program.
• Additional Activities: Cooking competitions are organized at Block, District, and State levels to encourage innovative meal ideas.

National Education Policy 2020

Introduction and Historical Context:

• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions India as a global knowledge hub, marking the third major education policy overhaul since independence.
• The earlier policies were introduced in 1968 and 1986, setting the stage for this comprehensive transformation.

Salient Features of NEP 2020:

• Universal Access: Ensuring access to education at all levels, from pre-primary to Grade 12.
• Early Childhood Care: Focusing on quality early childhood care and education for children aged 3-6.
• Curricular Structure: Adopting a new 5+3+3+4 curricular structure that aligns with age groups.
• Four Schooling Stages: Dividing education into Foundational, Preparatory, Middle, and Secondary stages.
• Integrated Learning: Breaking barriers between arts and sciences, curricular and extra-curricular activities, and vocational and academic streams.
• Multilingualism: Emphasizing multilingualism and promoting Indian languages.
• Performance Assessment: Introducing PARAKH, the National Assessment Centre for holistic development evaluation.
• Gender Inclusion and Special Education: Establishing a Gender Inclusion fund and Special Education Zones.

Key Initiatives under NEP 2020

PM Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI):

• Objective: Provide high-quality, equitable, and inclusive education in a joyful school environment.
• Launch: September 2022.
• Scope: Upgrading over 14,500 schools across India.
• Allocation: Rs. 630 crore for school enhancement.

NIPUN Bharat:

• Vision: Achieve universal foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade 3 (2026-27).
• Focus: Develop enabling environment for essential reading, writing, and numeracy skills.

PM e-VIDYA:

• Aim: Promote online education and digital learning.
• Platforms: Utilizes DIKSHA and provides e-books and e-content nationwide.

NCF FS and Jadui Pitara:

• Launch: National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage and Jadui Pitara for play-based learning.
• Audience: Tailored teaching materials for children aged 3 to 8.

NISHTHA:

• Focus: Capacity-building program for teachers and school principals.
• Enhancement: Aims to foster holistic advancement in school heads and teachers.

NDEAR:

• Blueprint: National Digital Education Architecture for technology-based education applications.
• Guiding Principles: Lays foundations for digital technology integration in education.

Academic Frameworks:

• NcrF: National Credit Framework for enhanced credit transfer.
• NHEQF: National Higher Education Qualification Framework for academic flexibility.

Increased Investment in Education:

• Advocacy: Recommends 6% of combined GDP allocation by Central and State Governments.
• Budget Allocation: Ministry of Education budget increased to Rs. 1,12,899 crore in 2023-24, a 13.68% rise from 2020-21.

International Campuses and Partnerships:

• Support: NEP 2020 encourages Indian universities to establish campuses abroad and invites foreign institutions to operate in India.
• MoUs: Agreements signed for IIT campuses in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi, fostering global educational connections.

Educational Innovation in GIFT City:

• GIFT City Hub: Foreign universities authorized to offer specialized courses in Gujarat’s GIFT City.
• Objective: Cultivate high-end human resources for financial services and technology sectors.

-Source: The Hindu